Humans are hardwired to communicate. My infant daughter cannot yet utter an intelligible syllable, yet she communicates quite effectively what she needs, wants and desires. I read her body language, follow her gaze, listen to the tone of her vocalizations and usually am able to determine her wish and respond appropriately. She spends much of her waking time sending signals and, because I’m hardwired to hear her, I spend a lot of time interpreting and responding.
Are mothers and babies unique? I don’t think so… I think babies are hardwired to send signals and mothers are heavily invested in hearing them. What would happen if we expended that same effort (sans the wee hour feedings) when responding to our customers and clients? What if we attempted to inhabit their world and used that lens to effectively interpret their want, needs and desires… beyond just what they actually say? Humans are hardwired to communicate. Effective communication involves framing and sending signals plus receiving/interpreting them accurately. Reducing the noise between buyer and seller would yield immediate tangible benefits.
Even more life-changing would be this type of investment in our other personal relationships. It may not be always practical, but it would alter the scope of our relationships in a profound way, and assuredly for the better.
So, my challenge today, to you and to myself… Take stock of how well you really listen and interpret what is being shared with you. Honestly assess and then invest, or re-invest, in better communication.

Would love to know your own tips/tricks for listening (or better yet, really hearing). I’m amazed that my husband and I can be in the same car, “hearing” the same conversation/spat/fit between or among our kids and he won’t really notice or pick out the real challenge/problem. He says it’s self-preservation!